Together Again

(Year 3, Week 27)

Back to the Studio

On Monday, during morning launch, the heroes were alive with chatter.

“Did you hear the new studio is opening up!?”

“I am so excited!”

“I wonder if there will be standing desks!?”

They were beyond excited to hear the news that Heroes Academy is part of the soft opening that Idaho issued out. They had a lot of thought about how everyone should act in terms of keeping one another safe and respecting those who want a little extra space.

“I think we need to have extra hand sanitizer.”

“I think that we should be able to move our desks or work separately as much as possible.”

They went on to discuss what it meant to respect other people’s wishes and devised a plan to follow upon arrival. During the launch, they listened to one another about their concerns and were very aware that everyone has different opinions. Even with differing opinions, they offered one another grace and comfort with sayings like,

“I see it a little differently but I want to respect your boundaries.”

One after another, they lifted each other up and all agreed that no matter what, they are excited to see one another, create systems in the new studio and get back to doing what they do best….learning together.

Imagination

Over the virtual session the heroes had been working on stories that were posed post apocalypse. They were creating ideal worlds that they would love to live in post disaster. Their worlds ranged from planets in outer space to giant cities in the sky.

During writer’s workshop on Tuesday they were surprised by their challenge. They were told not to write a single word. That Writer’s Workshop was going to come from their imagination and crafty skills. They were asked to create their world, in person, using any materials that they could think of. They were given the option to paint, draw, use Lego pieces or whatever they had on hand. They discussed the importance of bringing their story to life and learned about what ups and downs movie creators go through when trying to bring a story onto the big screen. They were thrilled that there was a slight ease in the writing.

When it was time to share the heroes delighted in their friends designs. One of the heroes created a world. using Lego’s. Complete with walls and a system to keep out the bad guys.

Another hero created his island, showing where his people would live and using an abstract paint method.

One hero designed her world in 3D, complete with a tumbling waterfall!

During closing the heroes were asked if anything changed within their story once they were done. Many of them agreed that they needed more details and a clearer picture during the introduction so the reader could see what they saw. A light bulb moment in terms of,

“writing for the reader.”

Culture

The final rendition of the Heroes Olympics was a week dedicated to studying the culture of their chosen countries. The heroes were met with the task of recreating a cuisine from their country. They were asked to find out the history of the food, why it was important to the country and then try to make it at home. They were really excited to share about their travels and what they already knew from being able to visit these places.

One of the heroes chose Germany and decided to try his hand at making German Pancakes.

Two of the heroes picked Indonesia and did their own take on Fried Rice.

Another hero recreated Monaco Biscuit Canapes.

The heroes discussed how much fun it was to make their dishes and serve to their families. Some of them hope to continue to be able to do cooking challenges when they get into the new studio.

One Sentence Challenges

While it isn’t ideal that the heroes have had to attend online, they surely made the most of it. When asked if there was something that they did in the virtual studio that they wanted to continue doing when they got back, hands went flying. The two favorite activities that they fell in love with was:

1. One sentence challenge
2. Drawing

They discussed ways in which they would be able to bring these two activities into the studio. They decided that collaboration would be a good time to do both. They told the guide that they really enjoyed being challenged, with little guidance and space to let their imagination run wild.

They also fell in love with the drawing activities. While the drawing activities were step by step instructions, it ignited a passion in some of the heroes to try their hands at free drawing. Here were some of the drawings from the week:

Those drawings weren’t even half of the ones submitted. Throughout the week more and more kept being put into slack. It appeared that Heroes Academy has some budding artists on their hands.

Friday Fun

Friday game time was always a favorite for the heroes. During the virtual learning experience the guide realized that they hadn’t done one fun, Friday game together. One of the heroes suggested it be re implemented and after a few discussions quest was cancelled and game time was in full speed.

Instead of a quick, 15 minute launch, the heroes found themselves laughing and competing for 45 minutes. They were challenged to compete in the 5 Second Rule game. Each hero got five seconds to name off three things in the category they were given. Every single hero participated and was laughing by the end of the game.

Keeping spirits alive and team bonding ended the week on a high note. Soon the heroes will be walking through the new studio doors and creating that time and space for them to come together and just have fun was arguably the most important thing they did all week.

Wrap-Up

The heroes finished their Olympics, completed their Writer’s Workshop and found time to have fun and connect with one another. The virtual studio is coming to an end and what a time to reflect on all of the ups and downs but most importantly the accomplishments. There isn’t enough space to be appreciative towards all of the heroes and families who were patient and supportive. There were one million learning curves that everyone had to get through. From internet failures to tracking points. The grace that was given to one another was insurmountable. One hill has been climbed and conquered. Now, onto bigger, better and stronger days, together in the NEW studio!